GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1531, 13 July 1886, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.ro. on Thursday. Mr Bathgate presented a petition from members of the Baptist Union of the colony praying that more stringent measures might be framed for the better protection of girls and young women. Mr Chamberlain moved his motion to the effect that every encouragement should be given to manufacturers by the imposition of protective duties. —The motion was lost. The Wyndham Show Grounds Reserve Bill, and the East and West Coast Railway Construction Bill were read a second time, Tke Council adjourned at 5 p.m. The Council in tbs evening dealt with a large number of Bills, the principal of which were the Harbors Act Amendment, Friendly Societies Amendment, and the Local Bodies Loans Bill. There was considerable discussion on clause Jj9

of the latter, allowing that first year’s interest be paid out of loan, but eventually it was retained by 14 to 11. • The Council adjourned at 10.30 p.m. HOUSE OP KBPRESENXATITB3. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thura* day. Mr Thomson brought up the report of the District Railways Purchasijg Committee, which . was ordered to be read by the clerk. The report reads Tour Committee having been appointed to enquire into and report whether any member of tbe Legislature negotiated for or claimed or received any commission or other remuneration for promoting the passing of tl>e District Railways Purchasing. Act 1885, or for negotiating tbe sale or, purchase of debentures issued or to be issued by Government, have the honor to report as fallows They first of all took the evidence of Mr W. J. Steward, member for Waimate, regarding whom unfavorable reports ■ have been in circulation in connection with the sale to Government of certain district railway debentures. They have also taken the evidence of Sir Julius Vogel and Messrs J. C. Buckland and Peacock. They have perused the correspondence between Mr Steward and official liquidator of tbe Duntroon and Hakateramea Railway Company, and tbe correspondence between Mr Steward and the Rotorua Railway Company. The mover of the committo, Mr J. W. Thomson, begs to submit the following resolution for adoption(l) That while the evidence adduced does not warrant your committee in reporting that Mr Steward was directly influenced by any pecuniary, consideration in bis efforts to secure the passing of the District Railways Purchasing Bill by tbe House, they, are, nevertheless,, unable to conclude other than that he considered that in all probability tie would be able to bring about the sale to the Government Insurance Association of tbe Waimate, and, possibly the Duntroon and Hakateramea railway debentures, and thus secure the receipt by faim of a large commission on the transaction. (2) That Mr Steward in conducting the negotiations, presumably attached importance to his influence aa aember of. the House of Representatives, and in bis letters to the Hon R. Campbell, of date 25th September, 1885, soliciting that gentleman’s assistance ih obtaining authority to sell the Duntroon and Hakateramea railway debentures, he says ‘ I have influence in two different quarters which will enable me, I think,' * to get a better , price than anyone; else could.’ (3) That it is manifest from the evidence of Mr Peacock, a member oi the House of Representatives, sod a director of the Rotorua Railway Company,-that the Board - appreciated the position and consequent influence ;of Mr . Steward? as a member o£ Parliament in dealing; with the Government for the sale, of the company’s debentures, and that the payment of commission was a secondary consideration to that of securing hie services in the conduct of . the negotiation for tbe sale. (4) That your Committee are of opinion that while Mr Steward has avoided any technical breach of the Disqualification Act, they unanimously regard the transaction referred to as calculated seriously to reflect upon and impugn the integrity of any member of Parliament engaged therein, and to give rise, as has been the case in this instance, to public scandal. (5) That it may fairly be assumed that, bad the Government dealt directly with the company, the amount of commission might have been saved to the colony, and that it is to be great ly regretted that neither-Mr Steward nor Sir.tfulins Vogel, as it appears in their respective evidence, recognises any impropriety in a member of Parliament acting aa a paid agent in making a sale to the Government.”

At the request of Mr Steward the debate on the report was adjourned till Wednesday next. The Supreme Court Bill and the Criminal Code Bill, moved by the Hon. Mr Tola were thrown out. The Civil Service Reform Bill and the Defence Bill, were considered in committee.

The Police Force Bill was considered in Committee, and passed with slight amendments. The House then rose.